“Every journey begins with a single pedal stroke. This is the story of how cycling transformed my life, one kilometer at a time.”

When I moved to Hamburg in 2016, I quickly discovered that getting around the city was much easier on two wheels. At first, I relied on a fixie bike—a simple, single-speed ride that perfectly suited the urban lifestyle. Riding around Hamburg, I felt a newfound freedom that not only helped me navigate the bustling streets but also laid the foundation for something much bigger.

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The Rough Start: City Bikes and First Impressions

Before owning my own bike, I experimented with the city bike service offered by Deutsche Bahn. Unfortunately, those bikes were, without a doubt, the worst I’d ever seen. Even though my work colleagues all commuted by bicycle, I found that the city bikes left much to be desired. Still, I spent about a year and a half using them to commute and even took small rides with a colleague who followed the same route every day. These rides gradually built my basic fitness and set the stage for a deeper relationship with cycling.

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A Pivotal Moment: The Accident and a Life-Changing Purchase

One day, a small accident with a city bike—caused by a poorly secured saddle—changed everything. Frustrated by the experience, I decided that day to visit a local bike shop called Bonvelo. There, I impulsively bought my very first single-speed fixie. I didn’t fully understand what a “fixie” was at the time; I simply loved its stylish look and the promise of a more personal riding experience.

“Sometimes the best decisions are made in moments of frustration. My fixie purchase was exactly that—a split-second choice that would reshape my future.”

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Tracking My Journey: Strava, Data, and Small Victories

Almost every day during the summer, I commuted 20 kilometers on my new fixie. Being a self-confessed data nerd, I began tracking my rides on Strava—using my Apple Watch, which I never initially bought for sports. I loved seeing the routes I’d taken and the progress I was making, even if my rides were just simple trips to work. It was fascinating to realize that while I was only commuting, others on Strava were recording epic rides spanning over 30 kilometers. For me, even a 10-kilometer ride felt like an enormous achievement, and every ride became a small victory.

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A Personal Battle: From 160 kg to a New Life

Key Transformation:

• Starting weight: 160 kg
• Current maintenance: 80-90 kg
• Tool for change: Cycling

Fitness and weight management have always been central themes in my life. I once weighed around 160 kilograms, and both my physical and mental well-being were suffering. Cycling, however, became my pathway to change. Over the years, thanks to regular rides and a newfound passion for cycling, I managed to reduce and maintain my weight between 80 and 90 kilograms. Even though nutrition remains a constant challenge, the discipline and joy of cycling have been crucial in stabilizing my health and mindset.

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The Turning Point: Discovering the World of Road Biking

One day, a friend in Hamburg caught my attention with his regular rides along the Deich—a scenic, inspiring route by the dike. Intrigued, I decided to give it a try on my fixie, even though I was still in everyday clothes. That ride, approximately 35 kilometers long, opened my eyes to a whole new world of cycling.

“You need a road bike, man.” - Jonah

This simple comment from my friend Jonah changed everything. I had never really known that there was a whole category dedicated to high-performance cycling. Jonah explained that a proper road bike wasn’t just for commuting—it was a tool for serious sport, offering unmatched efficiency and speed. That conversation was the catalyst that led me to fully embrace the world of road cycling.

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Why This Blog Exists

With this blog, I want to share everything I’ve learned on my journey. From the days of commuting on less-than-ideal bikes to the thrill of riding a high-performance road bike along the Deich, every experience has taught me something valuable. As road cycling continues to grow in popularity, I hope to provide:

• Practical insights for beginners
• Tips for transitioning from casual to serious cycling
• Personal stories of transformation
• Technical advice and gear recommendations
• Route suggestions and experiences

Thank you for joining me on this ride. I’m excited to share more adventures, lessons, and personal milestones with you in the coming posts.

Keep pedaling forward!